Crystal Cathedral Ministries
Encyclopedia
Crystal Cathedral Ministries is a Protestant Christian church
aligned with the Reformed Church in America
and named for its church building, the Crystal Cathedral
. The church was founded by Robert H. Schuller
in 1955 as the Garden Grove Community Church, and changed its name to its present name when it moved into the Crystal Cathedral building in 1981.
On October 18, 2010, the board of the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in Santa Ana
, California. The church received numerous offers for the building, including from a real estate investment group and from Chapman University
, both with the provision of being leased back to the church. On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
announced that it was "potentially interested in buying" the building "to meet the needs of the 1.2 million Catholics in Orange County." Two weeks later, the diocese followed up with a cash offer of $53.6 million which included a lease-back provision at below market rates for a period of time.
Affiliated with the Reformed Church in America
, the Garden Grove Community Church was founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and his wife Arvella. The first church services were held in space rented from the Orange
Drive-In Theatre.
In 1961, the congregation moved to a new sanctuary designed by architect
Richard Neutra
. In 1968, The Tower of Hope was completed, providing office and classroom space. Continued growth led to the need for a new facility. Schuller envisioned a unique facility with walls made of glass and commissioned noted architect Philip Johnson
to put his dream into reality. Construction on the Crystal Cathedral began in 1977 and was completed in 1980, built at a cost of $18 million. The signature rectangular panes of glass comprising the building are not bolted to the structure; they are glued to it using a silicone
-based glue. This and other measures are intended to allow the building to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.0.
Upon moving from the old Neutra sanctuary to the new Johnson sanctuary, the congregation changed its name to the Crystal Cathedral. In 1990 the Prayer Spire was completed.
, was installed as the second senior pastor of the church and head of the Hour of Power TV program. On October 25, 2008, the elder Schuller announced the removal of his son from the Hour of Power broadcast, citing "a lack of shared vision." In a prepared statement, Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry." It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Robert A. Schuller had resigned from his position as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Juan Carlos Ortiz was named as interim senior pastor while the search for a permanent replacement was conducted.
Robert H. Schuller stated in a press release, "All the services will continue to be broadcast from the world-renowned Crystal Cathedral with our great tradition of the most beautiful church music in the world." Sheila Schuller Coleman has now replaced her brother as the senior pastor. Sheila Schuller Coleman has vowed to continue the original vision of her father's ministry.
.
Early on December 16, 2004, 57-year-old Johnnie Carl, the church's orchestra conductor, fired several bullets in his office at the church shortly before the annual The Glory of Christmas
program was about to begin. The shots were fired in the vacant concourse
area and no one was injured. Carl ended up committing suicide. In his 29 years as orchestra director, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements in his service to the Crystal Cathedral.
After the death of Johnnie Carl, the leadership of the orchestra went to conductor and composer Marc Riley.
The traditional music program was maintained by choir conductor Don Neuen, organist Sean Groombridge and orchestra director Marc Riley until 2010.
is one of the largest in the world. Constructed by Fratelli Ruffatti
and based on specifications by Virgil Fox
and expanded by Frederick Swann
, the instrument incorporates the large Aeolian-Skinner
pipe organ built in 1962 for New York's Avery Fisher Hall
, and the Ruffatti organ which had been installed in the church's previous sanctuary. Swann was organist at the Crystal Cathedral between 1982–1998.
show called the Hour of Power, said to be the most-watched Christian program worldwide, with an estimated average of 20 million viewers tuning in each week. The church provides facilities for those of a similar faith to congregate and offers campus services including support groups, Sunday school
classes and daily Christian gatherings.
The church regularly features the testimonies of prominent people during the Hour of Power services. Notable guests have included former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev
, former president of India
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Vice President Al Gore
, former US Attorney General John Ashcroft
, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee
, noted Catholic broadcaster Archbishop
Fulton J. Sheen
, musician John Tesh
, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez
, pianist Roger Williams
, flautist Sir James Galway, Christian singer Joy Williams, Backstreet Boys
member and Christian singer Brian Littrell
, Christian singer Natalie Grant
, Christian rock band Sonicflood
, singer Robert Sims
, American tenor Daniel Rodriguez
, musical group The Oak Ridge Boys
, Christian singer Sara Groves
, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan
; former tennis star Michael Chang
, actors Kirk Douglas
, Roy Rogers
, Noah Gray-Cabey
, and Denzel Washington
, radio talk-show host Laura Schlessinger, and MLB baseball player Kirk Gibson
.
weekly TV show. A board member said that the total debt was $55 million. The church's board filed for bankruptcy on October 18, 2010, citing $43 million in debt including a $36 million mortgage and $7.5 million in other debt. Church officials said that they had been trying to negotiate payments but after several suits were filed and writs of attachment were granted the church had to declare bankruptcy. The church has received offers for the building from a real estate investment group and from Chapman University
, both with the provision of being leased back to the church.
On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
announced that it was “potentially interested” in buying the church building.
On November 17, 2011, a federal judge approved selling the Crystal Cathedral to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.
Christian Church
The Christian Church is the assembly or association of followers of Jesus Christ. The Greek term ἐκκλησία that in its appearances in the New Testament is usually translated as "church" basically means "assembly"...
aligned with the Reformed Church in America
Reformed Church in America
The Reformed Church in America is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has about 170,000 members, with the total declining in recent decades. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1819, it...
and named for its church building, the Crystal Cathedral
Crystal Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral is a Protestant Christian church building in the city of Garden Grove, in Orange County, California, United States. It is the headquarters and principal place of worship for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, a church founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and affiliated with the...
. The church was founded by Robert H. Schuller
Robert H. Schuller
Robert Harold Schuller is an American televangelist, pastor, speaker, motivator and author. He is principally known for the weekly Hour of Power television program which he began in 1970. He is also the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, where the Hour of Power program...
in 1955 as the Garden Grove Community Church, and changed its name to its present name when it moved into the Crystal Cathedral building in 1981.
On October 18, 2010, the board of the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in Santa Ana
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
, California. The church received numerous offers for the building, including from a real estate investment group and from Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
, both with the provision of being leased back to the church. On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church whose territory comprises the whole of Orange County, California, in the United States...
announced that it was "potentially interested in buying" the building "to meet the needs of the 1.2 million Catholics in Orange County." Two weeks later, the diocese followed up with a cash offer of $53.6 million which included a lease-back provision at below market rates for a period of time.
Origins and construction
Reformed Church in America
The Reformed Church in America is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has about 170,000 members, with the total declining in recent decades. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1819, it...
, the Garden Grove Community Church was founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and his wife Arvella. The first church services were held in space rented from the Orange
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
Drive-In Theatre.
In 1961, the congregation moved to a new sanctuary designed by architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Richard Neutra
Richard Neutra
Richard Joseph Neutra is considered one of modernism's most important architects.- Biography :Neutra was born in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Vienna, Austria Hungary, on April 8, 1892. He was born into both-Jewish wealthy family...
. In 1968, The Tower of Hope was completed, providing office and classroom space. Continued growth led to the need for a new facility. Schuller envisioned a unique facility with walls made of glass and commissioned noted architect Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson
Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential American architect.In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and later , as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture...
to put his dream into reality. Construction on the Crystal Cathedral began in 1977 and was completed in 1980, built at a cost of $18 million. The signature rectangular panes of glass comprising the building are not bolted to the structure; they are glued to it using a silicone
Silicone
Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....
-based glue. This and other measures are intended to allow the building to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.0.
Upon moving from the old Neutra sanctuary to the new Johnson sanctuary, the congregation changed its name to the Crystal Cathedral. In 1990 the Prayer Spire was completed.
Ministers
On January 22, 2006, Schuller retired as the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. His son, Robert A. SchullerRobert A. Schuller
Robert Anthony Schuller is an American televangelist, author, and television executive. He was formerly a minister on the Hour of Power weekly television program broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, where he was named senior pastor in 2006...
, was installed as the second senior pastor of the church and head of the Hour of Power TV program. On October 25, 2008, the elder Schuller announced the removal of his son from the Hour of Power broadcast, citing "a lack of shared vision." In a prepared statement, Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry." It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Robert A. Schuller had resigned from his position as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Juan Carlos Ortiz was named as interim senior pastor while the search for a permanent replacement was conducted.
Robert H. Schuller stated in a press release, "All the services will continue to be broadcast from the world-renowned Crystal Cathedral with our great tradition of the most beautiful church music in the world." Sheila Schuller Coleman has now replaced her brother as the senior pastor. Sheila Schuller Coleman has vowed to continue the original vision of her father's ministry.
Music
From its beginnings until its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, the Crystal Cathedral was renowned for the quality of its music program and the eclectic variety of its musical guests. This was principally due to the efforts and vision of Arvella Schuller, wife of the founding pastor. Organist Fred Swann and orchestra director Johnnie Carl were commissioned by Arvella Schuller to create and maintain a strong musical voice for the Crystal Cathedral. Don Neuen was brought to the church as choir conductor in 1999. Neuen was asked by the founding pastor to create a world class choir on the level of the Mormon Tabernacle ChoirMormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
.
Early on December 16, 2004, 57-year-old Johnnie Carl, the church's orchestra conductor, fired several bullets in his office at the church shortly before the annual The Glory of Christmas
The Glory of Christmas
The Glory of Christmas was an annual musical performance of the story of the birth of Jesus performed between 1981 and 2009 at Christmastime in the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California...
program was about to begin. The shots were fired in the vacant concourse
Concourse
A concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
area and no one was injured. Carl ended up committing suicide. In his 29 years as orchestra director, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements in his service to the Crystal Cathedral.
After the death of Johnnie Carl, the leadership of the orchestra went to conductor and composer Marc Riley.
The traditional music program was maintained by choir conductor Don Neuen, organist Sean Groombridge and orchestra director Marc Riley until 2010.
Organ
The church's 273 rank, five manual pipe organPipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
is one of the largest in the world. Constructed by Fratelli Ruffatti
Fratelli Ruffatti
Famiglia Artigiana Fratelli Ruffatti is a manufacturer of pipe organs based in Padua, Italy.- History :...
and based on specifications by Virgil Fox
Virgil Fox
Virgil Keel Fox was an American organist, known especially for his flamboyant "Heavy Organ" concerts of the music of Bach. These events appealed to audiences in the 1970s who were more familiar with rock 'n' roll music and were staged complete with light shows...
and expanded by Frederick Swann
Frederick Swann
Frederick L. Swann is a prominent American church and concert organist, recording artist, choral conductor, and former president of the American Guild of Organists . During his career spanning more than a half-century, he has performed on most of the well-known pipe organs in the world and made...
, the instrument incorporates the large Aeolian-Skinner
Aeolian-Skinner
Æolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc. — Æolian-Skinner of Boston, Massachusetts was an important American builder of a large number of notable pipe organs from its inception as the Skinner Organ Company in 1901 until its closure in 1972. Key figures were Ernest M. Skinner , Arthur Hudson Marks ,...
pipe organ built in 1962 for New York's Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall is a concert hall, in New York City and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. It is the home of the New York Philharmonic, with a capacity of 2,738 seats.-History:...
, and the Ruffatti organ which had been installed in the church's previous sanctuary. Swann was organist at the Crystal Cathedral between 1982–1998.
Hour of Power broadcast
The Crystal Cathedral broadcasts its church services around the world on a televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
show called the Hour of Power, said to be the most-watched Christian program worldwide, with an estimated average of 20 million viewers tuning in each week. The church provides facilities for those of a similar faith to congregate and offers campus services including support groups, Sunday school
Sunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
classes and daily Christian gatherings.
The church regularly features the testimonies of prominent people during the Hour of Power services. Notable guests have included former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
, former president of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Vice President Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
, former US Attorney General John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
, noted Catholic broadcaster Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Fulton J. Sheen
Fulton J. Sheen
Servant of God Fulton John Sheen, born Peter John Sheen was an American archbishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio...
, musician John Tesh
John Tesh
John Frank Tesh is an American pianist and composer of pop music, as well as a radio host and television presenter. His 10-year-old 'Intelligence for Your Life Radio Show' reaches 14.2 Million listeners/week, and is syndicated by Teshmedia on 400 stations in US, Canada, and the UK...
, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez
Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Contemporary Christian and Latin Pop singer—in both English and Spanish languages....
, pianist Roger Williams
Roger Williams (pianist)
Roger Williams was an American popular music pianist. As of 2004, he had released 116 albums.-Biography:...
, flautist Sir James Galway, Christian singer Joy Williams, Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
member and Christian singer Brian Littrell
Brian Littrell
Brian Thomas Littrell is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist and released a solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006...
, Christian singer Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. Her work has gained prominence, including four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist, and with her signature song, Held...
, Christian rock band Sonicflood
Sonicflood
Sonicflood is an American Christian Worship band from Nashville, Tennessee. Originally under the name Zilch, the band formed in 1997. The group took the name Sonicflood in 1998 as they became known as a praise and worship band following some line-up changes...
, singer Robert Sims
Robert Sims
Robert Lewis Sims a lyric baritone who specializes in African American folk songs and spirituals, is known for his rich tone, energetic performances and convincing stage presence....
, American tenor Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodríguez is an American operatic tenor from New York City. He became known as "The Singing Policeman" in his former work with the New York City Police Department, due to his role as one of the department's designated National Anthem singers...
, musical group The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
, Christian singer Sara Groves
Sara Groves
Sara Groves is an American Contemporary Christian singer, record producer, and author....
, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan
Ronan Tynan
Ronan Tynan is a singer in the classical Irish style. He is most famous for his renditions of "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium during important New York Yankees games, such as Opening Day, nationally-televised games, the last game at the old Yankee Stadium, and playoff games...
; former tennis star Michael Chang
Michael Chang
Michael Te-Pei Chang is a former American professional tennis player. He is best remembered for becoming the youngest-ever male player to win a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17....
, actors Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past , Champion , Ace in the Hole , The Bad and the Beautiful , Lust for Life , Paths of Glory , Gunfight at the O.K...
, Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
, Noah Gray-Cabey
Noah Gray-Cabey
Noah Gray-Cabey is an American television actor and pianist. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the television series My Wife and Kids and Heroes.-Early life:...
, and Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
, radio talk-show host Laura Schlessinger, and MLB baseball player Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
.
2010 bankruptcy application
Beginning in 2010, creditors filed lawsuits to collect money due to them for providing goods, services and broadcasting The Hour of PowerThe Hour of Power
Hour of Power is a weekly American Christian television program currently hosted by Sheila Schuller Coleman. It was previously hosted by her brother, Robert A. Schuller, and her father, Robert H. Schuller, who founded the program. It is broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove,...
weekly TV show. A board member said that the total debt was $55 million. The church's board filed for bankruptcy on October 18, 2010, citing $43 million in debt including a $36 million mortgage and $7.5 million in other debt. Church officials said that they had been trying to negotiate payments but after several suits were filed and writs of attachment were granted the church had to declare bankruptcy. The church has received offers for the building from a real estate investment group and from Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
, both with the provision of being leased back to the church.
On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church whose territory comprises the whole of Orange County, California, in the United States...
announced that it was “potentially interested” in buying the church building.
On November 17, 2011, a federal judge approved selling the Crystal Cathedral to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.